Where did all the Feminists go?

[Portofino]

MN seems to have had a reorganisation of FWR when I was on holiday and me no-likey. Why do we now have a Rad fem section and Feminist light chat. So many of the dynamic, knowledgable and interesting posters have disappeared. I have to say that some of the more radical stuff posted really made me think about my views and re-align them. There doesn't seem to be much of that anymore. I am disappointed to be honest.

It is impssible to talk about even basic feminism without talking about feminist theory.

Actually, I disagree with that.

garlic - I did get an answer on this board. The feminists here were very patient in explaining feminism and providing suitable links and reading material.

Genuine question chibi, why saddened by my post?
I've always thought feminism was a political movement, that the theory explained, analysed and validated women's experiences and feelings about their lives.
I just don't see access being restricted, or it being hidden away in the corner here.
It's one click away.

I don't see feminism as a political movement, more a way of life and set of values. There are many women I know who don't see themselves as feminists, but hold feminist beliefs, live by feminist values and pass them on to their children.

Oh, the long thread is your, Eats! :)

garlic? dont understand that comment?

I think that politics should be shaped by the positive values and beliefs of the people, and that the greatest strength of the feminist movement are the women who live feminist lives and use their values to shape the next generation.

My DS has struggled to understand the slogan 'Whoever we are and wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no' For him it is incontestable, illogical not to understand that no means no in whatever circumstances. That to take sex where it is not freely offered is always rape. Possibly because he has been raised with those values.

garlic wrote'The example you gave, of not knowing what patriarchy means, is a bit misleading because you'd certainly get an answer on this board (there's a long, current thread) and even in _Chat.'
Then she wrote ' Oh, the long thread is your, Eats!'
Which you didn't understand, EBAL. Garlic is referring to this thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/1563137-What-is-the-patriarchy

Thanks I know what the patriarchy is now. I posted it because it gets used here a lot and I know not all women understand what it means.

Thanks, Woffling. I've got lazy fingers

I never self identified as Feminist before I discovered this section. I believed in Equality and actively disagreed with many of the radfem views. But I listened, read up a bit, argued my side and listened to the responses - and it was like the scales fell from eyes. It is a life changing thing.

I would not have got there without those views. I would have continued to ignore a lot of what is now obvious to me. It has made my relationship different - not without problems - and made me parent differently.

Yes, woffling, I agree broadly. Our local shop has the sport and star on the bottom shelf (lovely) and ds(7) took a good look at the women on the cover, bending over with stars on their nipples. We talked about it, and he understands that women are not objects, and that my feelings on the industry come from concern for those exploited by rich men who see sex as a commodity and women as toys. Politically, I am very liberal and left-leaning. And, I have no doubt that ds will be the same.

Portofino - Totally agree!!

I do find the threads posted in order to pre-empt a question/"educate" annoying. If I want to know, I will ask. I'm not at school anymore.

My DS is 17 and at college, so he's field-testing independently

I think sometimes they work, when someone is sharing information to start and inviting everyone to pitch in.

I don't see the problem with sharing stuff like small incidents of sexism/misogyny, which someone mentioned upthread as being unpolitical. So what? It's still good to talk about this stuff.

Ideally we'd be able to do a range of things, to discuss theory and activism and to chat and work out ideas.

I do know what you mean though blame, it drove me nuts when BobtheMRATroll would start a thread with some wanky phrase like 'discuss' and would refuse to offer his own opinions, but would then leap in gleefully to patronize you as soon as you posted. That's a debate tactic straight out of pretentious twittery 101.

Lrd, I find the "incidents and how it was dealt with" threads interesting. Actually, you've reminded me of a thread that I want to start when I get on the pooter.

LRD, that's exactly what I mean. I find faux preaching patronising and a tad insulting.

I do miss Bob.

The same way you miss the shits when you've recovered from them

Ah, Bob. frothy, I sometimes get the impression he is not too far from us, perhaps? But I can't tell them all apart, anyway.

I'm reluctant to label myself, because the way I view things and my beliefs are constantly evolving.

Frothy